It’s night, CX is sitting on a desk writing when SJ walks in.

“You wanted me to do business with LS for this formula,” she says while folding the paper. She didn’t forget.

CX holds up the paper towards SJ who grabs it when she pulls it back. SJ falls to a seated position beside her but she once again pulls the paper further from his reach.

What’s she playing at?

Gently yet deftly pulling her towards him, SJ grabs the paper from CX’s hands. He unfolds it only to find the words “I’m kidding” staring back at him. Unbelievable.

As playful as it may seem, CX has actually memorized all the formulas for the fireworks and realized all materials belong to the original formula. But she still needs time to research the ingredients of the gunpowder.

She’s been planning day and night to get what SJ wants, shouldn’t he also show some sincerity?

SJ isn’t about to disagree, she’s right after all. He pulls out his own folded paper where there’s intel that can help her win over LS. Just as she’s about to grab it, he pulls the paper out of her reach. Now it’s his turn.

Determined to get it, CX follows SJ as he gets up and starts jumping for the paper as he holds it high above his head.

Blast her tall handsome fake uncle!

As she makes another jump, she falls onto him in an intimate embrace. They look at each other, faces inches apart before jumping away.

“How come you’re nothing like a decent lady?” SJ asks trying to pull himself together.

She can’t escape the shadows of their sordid and painful past

LS can’t figure out what he’s done to make CX despise him since, for a while now, she’s been extremely cold. Was it his manners the last time during her sister’s “accident” (when she intentionally fell into the water)? Why’s she so displeased with him?

CX may not be able to voice her full hatred of the man but his current attitude makes her recall the time when he courted her before their marriage in her past life.

LS had been a gentleman, one who wooed her and had expressed genuine appreciation for her talent. She’d been told managing business account books and developing gunpowder formulas were insignificant things yet LS had seen them as worthy.

She’d been swept away by the handsome man willing to help him achieve his ambitions. However, things turned ugly rather quickly following their wedding.

The requests for a new gunpowder formula had increased. LS had become exacting and turned violent when CX had stood her ground against him.

She’d once asked him if he felt any pity for her since, aside from having the title of his wife, she’d had no other status of her own. LS had shown no mercy, however, informing her that it was only due to his status as an imperial merchant that he wouldn’t divorce her. But she must hand over all fireworks formulas!

Why? Why must she?

CX was reluctant to let even her last bit of usefulness be exploited by him. She’d been willing to give everything for LS but he’d considered her love merely as her being controlling and a threat.

Shaking herself away from the past, CX looks at the confused man in front of her seeing only a persona full of sweet words and deceit.

CQ suddenly appears interrupting their rather unpleasant encounter. CX looks at her half-sister who’s playing the frail pretty thing once more as she gently coughs every other word.

Falling for her little drama, LS excuses himself to escort CQ back. As the two walk away from her, CX suddenly rushes silently towards them pulling out one of her hairpins that looks mighty lethal in the moment. Their backs to her, the couple doesn’t hear a thing.

Luckily for them, SJ materializes out of nowhere stopping CX just as she’s about to stab someone.

Barely grimacing at the pin wound on his hand, SJ and CX silently stare at each other, one gaze incredulous at the interruption while the other determined.

ꕤ • ꕤ ◦ ꕤ • ꕤ

“Does it hurt?” CX asks while wrapping SJ’s wounded hand. Why did the man block her attack with his hand, did he think they were made of iron?

“It’s nothing to me but even if you stabbed him, you would merely scratch him, what’s the point?” SJ tries to reason.

Looking at that despicable man infuriated her to no end!

SJ however maintains if she hates LS, every hit must count. She shouldn’t do something foolish on impulse.

“You’ve been enduring hardships for long yet you still rely on me,” CX points out. But she realizes her statement isn’t going to get her anywhere, she knows SJ is better than what she insinuated.

While SJ may be highly skilled in various things, he needs evidence to overturn the case that led to his family’s massacre. He needs evidence to give his slaughtered family complete and total justice and rightfully pass down the gunpowder skills.

SJ sighs at her words. “I spared your life but don’t repay me with it. No matter your resentments, you shouldn’t risk yourself to take revenge”.

CX knows her father and sister want her to marry LS to take advantage of the union. On her end, she’s determined to marry LS and make them crumble from the inside.

But if she takes such a risk, how’s she going to escape unscathed later?

“That will depend on my abilities. Becoming his wife will make it easier to get the original formula. It’s all pros for you,” CX turns to him.

Why’s he dissatisfied?

She can do more than kiss if it means achieving her goal

Their plans are progressing as anticipated. LS and his elder brother (who’s the prospective head of the family) pay a visit to the sisters which ends with them believing CQ has the skill and knowledge to develop gunpowder formulas.

In fact, the elder brother may even be thinking of competing with LS for CQ.

SJ might as well sound out LS’ intentions (as the Uncle) to facilitate the smooth progress of their plan.

“Uncle, I’m getting increasingly close to LS, you should be happy. Why do you seem very displeased now?” CX asks after reporting their progress.

“You want to entice LS to marry you and then seek revenge. But have you thought about your life afterward?” a disgruntled SJ demands.

Does he really take himself as her uncle? He’s even more worried about her future.

She’ll ensure to get the original formula and make LS fall head over heels in love with her.

“Why would he fall in love with you? You don’t even know how to seduce men,” SJ points out.

Hearing this, CX slides a little closer to him. She leans close, and SJ follows suit to hear what she’s about to say.

Does he think this will scare her? She’s braver than SJ thinks. If he doesn’t believe it, then he should test her.

SJ takes the initiative to do so bringing his face in as though he’s about to kiss her. He expects CX to pull away as he gets closer.

Instead, he feels her soft full lips on his as she closes the distance between them, quickly touching her mouth to his.

With a gasp, he draws back in surprise. But CX isn’t done, she reaches out for SJ’s shoulders and brings him in for a deep searing kiss.

SJ struggles to pull away from her as she lets him go with “It’s just a contact of lips. Even if I need to do more, as long as I can achieve the goal, I don’t care about it.”

Is that true?

She has admirable determination SJ admits though he’s visibly trying to maintain his composure.

ꕤ • ꕤ ◦ ꕤ • ꕤ

In the late evening, SJ sends a secret invite to LS for a quick meeting. He’s about to sound out his intentions as CX requested.

“Why must a clever man speak so obliquely? If you offer the formula as a betrothal gift, I guarantee you’ll get everything you desire,” a serious SJ informs LS who’s been playing the innocent game throughout their discussion.

He maintains he doesn’t understand what formula SJ is talking about.

If that’s the case, this entire discussion must be a wasted effort on SJ’s part.

As SJ makes to leave, LS stops him. There are some matters outside of his control but he’d first like to know which lady they’re talking about.

“Naturally, it’s with the one you have an affection for,” SJ replies. Let LS make what he will of that, SJ isn’t about to make this man’s life easy.

ꕤ • ꕤ ◦ ꕤ • ꕤ

“What did LS say?” CX asks SJ as he approaches her much later that same night he meets with LS as he joins her outside to watch late-night fireworks that are getting tested.

“If he wants you to marry him, then he must give us the formula as a betrothal gift”.

CX turns slowly towards him. She only asked him to feel out his intentions not to deal with him face to face so soon. He certainly knows how to use her to his advantage.

But CX is surprised LS would be willing and complying, she’d no idea she was valued that high so soon.

Meanwhile, SJ can’t wrap his head around how CX knows LS so well, how’s she able to understand a man she’s not been close to yet largely is known to have a good reputation for business and a friendly, respectful, and rather inseparable relationship with his brother.

How can she understand LS to the degree she does?

She was betrayed and died once, how can she still have feelings?

In the past, CX had replaced her sister by meeting LS to witness the fireworks display he’d set up.

CQ was injured earlier that day and couldn’t make it, so LS went in her stead without any devious intentions, merely to meet with LS (not knowing that it was a romantic setup on his end).

LS had been disappointed and later CX had realized that was a moment that he’d considered as part of her larger manipulation of him.

The present CX however looks on from a balcony alcove as a woman approaches a waiting LS in a similar setup as that of the past.

He’s waiting for CX not knowing the one walking towards him is CQ.

When LS sees the other sister, he disappointedly stashes the little trinket he’d prepped into his shirt. Why is it her? Where’s CX?

CQ understands she’s not who he’d expected to meet. She’s jealous, yes, but also somewhat hurt because she does care for LS in her own twisted way.

She reminds him he should rethink to whom he’s lavishing attention to since she’s technically the eldest and legitimate daughter. She’s the more advantageous match, the one who can help him achieve great things.

From a short distance away, CX sees the entire show she manipulated play in front of her as a puppeteer proud of her puppets’ performance.

She’s not happy or satisfied though. The sadness in her voice can’t deceive anyone, SJ can tell that from a glance.

There’s no reason she should shed tears with such a beautiful fireworks display for the wrongs done by another.

SJ pulls her away for a surprise he’s prepared. Neither is aware of LS witnessing their departure, angry at seeing her leave after all the concessions he’s made.

When they get to the surprise place, a small alcove by the beach, a small fireworks display starts.

“Someone should set off a fireworks display for you for once,” SJ tells her. “They’re not as grand as the ones earlier but these fireworks are all from my family and all set off for you only”.

No need to share. No need to worry. They belong to her only. CX can’t help but smile at the sight in front of her.

SJ himself can’t help the smile spreading on his handsome face while seeing her smile sincerely without sadness or annoyance.

This is his first time seeing her like this.

ꕤ • ꕤ ◦ ꕤ • ꕤ

Two love letters arrive from LS the next day. CX isn’t too keen on either, empty words as they are. Ridiculous.

SJ however reminds her if she doesn’t entertain to reply then those words will remain simple romance on paper. It’s not going to help her get the original formula.

Just as he’s about to reply to one for her, CQ walks in with a tray of snacks for her Uncle. Seeing CX seated next to him, she comments on how close Uncle is with her sister.

As CX sends her meddling sister off to “help” her reply to LS’ letter which CQ can’t help but notice, SJ turns to her.

“Now she’s paying more attention to our whereabouts. Aren’t you afraid that one day she’ll say that you and I have committed incest?”

Why? Is he afraid?

It’s not so much fear as dealing with unnecessary hostility and trouble such accusations will bring.

After all, there’s no point in arguing right and wrong with inconsequential people like her step-sister who only wants to land her into trouble.

ꕤ • ꕤ ◦ ꕤ • ꕤ

While CQ lays down plans for her own little play, CX can’t help but indulge in a drink in SJ’s company.

It may not be very ladylike but she must enjoy life to the fullest.

SJ laughs, she really can’t hold her liquor though, when drunk she’s like a puppy. Hearing the last bit, CX takes it upon herself to prove her puppy-ness by biting SJ’s hand.

SJ wants to ask her a question but wonders if it’ll be taking advantage of her in this state. CX is open to hearing him, she just wasn’t expecting his curiosity to lie mostly on her relationship with LS.

That’s not his concern. He only needs to know as long as he’s an enemy of LS, and he wants them dead, then she won’t betray him. That’s all.

But no, that’s not what he was asking, SJ wants to know her thoughts on LS.

Ohh! She gets it, he cares about her! But he pretends he doesn’t.

“Don’t change the subject. I’m just worried about you,” SJ admits as he tries to grab her hands that keep trying to caress his face.

“What I care about is…” CX looks into SJ’s eyes, “You”. And she goes in for a kiss. SJ doesn’t hold back, he joins her.

A little later, CQ sees the figures of her sister and Uncle leaving together. She grins in satisfaction, it’s as she expected.

ꕤ • ꕤ ◦ ꕤ • ꕤ

Sober and awake, CX tries to convince herself the kiss she and SJ shared was just to make him more enamored and their alliance more stable.

So he can’t betray her. That’s what it was, no more than that. Right?

It turns out that people who climb out of the underworld can still have feelings. Her heart already died once yet it still beats.

Even if it starts over, CQ still fell into the water, and Uncle still became SJ.

These things still happened at the predetermined time. She still can’t control her life and change the ending.

He can’t be more than her uncle or they risk failing all their goals

“Sit,” SJ commands the newly arrived LS as he joins CX and himself at the small table they were seated at outdoors.

“CX worried about private meetings with a man so she asked me to come over as an elder. Hope you don’t mind”.

How could he refuse propriety’s rules? LS addresses CX as he hands over a list of betrothal gifts for her to peruse. Anything else she’d like can be added to this list.

“Last time you wanted us to meet, my sister went there. Now you bring this to me,” CX plays the confused card.

She’s misunderstood, CQ is but a sister to him!

“Of my two nieces, one is legitimate, the other has knowledge and skills of crafts. Understandably, you find it hard to decide for now,” SJ adds fuel to the fire.

LS tries to deny any conflict of mind regarding the situation, however, CX jumps in.

“I’m a concubine’s daughter. My mother died early and I had no one to rely on. What I know is settling accounts and doing mundane work with fireworks”.

SJ reminds LS their marriage wouldn’t have all the advantages (like power and wealth coming from the bride’s family). He should consider carefully what exactly he wants.

“I just want CX to become my wife. CX,” LS turns to her, “I’ll certainly marry you formally”.

CX tells him she wants to see the original formula of LS’ family which LS promises he’ll try to make happen.

SJ and CX share a quick look. If LS manages to acquire the original formula, the main part of their goal will be accomplished.

ꕤ • ꕤ ◦ ꕤ • ꕤ

That night, CX meets SJ to tell him it seems dealing with LS won’t be as difficult as she’d feared. It appears the colder she is towards him, the more anxious he becomes in acquiring her as he’s wife.

SJ wordlessly plucks an errant leaf from CX’s hair. As he pulls his hand down, CX reaches for it and holds it within her grasp.

“Last night, you kissed me too. SJ, do you really want to marry me off to LS? Do you have feelings for me?”

SJ pulls his hand away from hers, “I can see right through your little schemes. Don’t think that I’m as easily controlled as LS, I’m not that foolish”.

So that’s how it is, CX turns to leave in disappointment but SJ grabs her elbow.

“Compared to what we want to do, such feelings of love aren’t worth mentioning, right?”

CX shakes his hand off and turns to him, “On the wedding day Uncle, please prepare a wedding dress for me, the wild woman”.

As she wishes, as an elder he’ll ensure to marry off his niece in a grand and glorious ceremony.

ꕤ • ꕤ ◦ ꕤ • ꕤ

CQ finally launches her plan to accuse CX of conspiring with LS to kill LS’ older brother. Despite having feelings for LS, she needs to get him into trouble to force his hands to marry her.

She brings onto the scene Maid L who once again is deployed to harm CX as a witness to CX hiring killers to carry out her malicious plan.

However, CX tries using reason to point out that Maid L isn’t exactly a trusted source since she was recently assigned to her and could easily have been taken advantage of by CQ. In such a case, the blatant frame-up would leave her defenseless.

Bringing Maid L as the only witness to accuse her of such a heavy crime isn’t sufficient evidence.

Then can CX tell them where she was that night, CQ asks. The night in question was the one she’d seen CX and SJ walking together (when CX had gotten drunk and kissed SJ which thankfully CX had not seen).

“If you truly are innocent, why can’t you say where you were? What’s the harm with you admitting it? Father would at most scold you, no need for such a big fuss,” CQ backs CX into a corner with satisfaction.

CX lashes out at the evil half-sister for she really can’t say what she was doing that night or hold SJ as an alibi. That disclosure will lead to a whole other torrent of charges.

Just as she’s forcefully escorted from the room by guards, SJ walks in with a command to leave her.

In the role of Uncle, he accuses his “brother” of embarrassing himself by easily bullying his daughter with the help of outsiders.

“If you want a witness, I’m a witness! CX was learning the business from me,” SJ reveals.

But CQ won’t let her plans fail easily. Is it true if he says that CX was learning business from him?

“What, as an elder, I can’t even vouch for my niece? Over the years, she has endured so much humiliation and shed so many bitter tears. Every one of you knows it, she had no protection from elders before. Now she does,” SJ attacks back.

This new threat isn’t entirely a surprise, SJ and CX had considered its possibility before this moment. CX had provoked CQ and seduced LS, her half-sister was bound to find means to retaliate.

CQ doesn’t know of the slander her Uncle speaks of, what’s with all the favoritism?

“She’s been living on my estate for years, under his protection. If you take this for favoritism, I’ll admit to it. So what?”

SJ mentions bringing in the authorities but CX’s father balks at this. Since neither LS nor his brother were harmed at the end of the day, why blow up the matter?

Suddenly the tide turns, and Maid L reveals she was bought over by CQ. It turns out that CX had worked things out with the maid before this moment, winning her over by ensuring the security of her younger brother (whom CQ had used in the past as leverage).

CQ is now in the light of crime and her haughty demeanor transforms into a meek one. To show a genuine display of remorse, she slaps herself in front of everyone.

CX’s father is forced into making a public promise that once CX is married he’ll supply her a dowry befitting a second legitimate daughter with an addition of a fireworks shop.

He aims a stern look at his “brother”. With that promise, the matter at hand should be buried in that room forever.